06/06/2026
Global air cargo spot rates rose 41% year-on-year in May to an average of $3.40 per kg, driven by resilient demand, constrained capacity and ongoing geopolitical disruptions, according to Xeneta. The market update, released in June, showed that global air cargo demand increased 4% year-on-year while capacity recovered to 1% above last year's level. The dynamic load factor also climbed two percentage points to 61%, reflecting stronger capacity utilisation across the industry.
Despite the sharp increase in rates, Xeneta believes pricing pressures on shippers may begin to ease in June as capacity returns and demand growth moderates.